Afghanistan

UN says at least 10 civilians died in Afghanistan airstrike, contradicting US UN says at least 10 civilians died in Afghanistan airstrike, contradicting US US airstrikes kill scores of civilians in Kunduz province, Afghans say Prosecutor seeks to investigate Afghan war crimes allegations – and claims of US torture

The United Nations mission in said at least 10 civilians may have been killed by, despite a US military investigation that found no civilian deaths.

In a series of messages on Twitter, the UN Assistance Mission in said interviews with multiple survivors, medics, elders and others gave it strong reason to believe that civilians were among the victims of Saturday’s attack.

The statement contradicts comments from some local and Afghan military officials as well as a US statement on Tuesday, which said that an investigation had found no evidence of civilian deaths.

The episode underlines the lack of clarity over reports of civilian casualties, an issue which is likely to become increasingly prominent as the United States steps up airstrikes against the Taliban and other insurgent groups.

Captain Tom Gresback, a spokesman for the , said the Pentagon stood by its previous statement that found no civilian deaths.

But he added: “US Forces Afghanistan will examine and consider any credible evidence when allegations of civilian casualties are presented. We take all allegations of civilian casualties very seriously and take necessary steps to ensure that we mitigate the loss of civilian life.“

On a visit to Kabul in September, the US defense secretary, Jim Mattis, said that commanders would be given greater freedom to use American firepower against the Taliban but that “everything humanly possible” would be done to avoid civilian casualties.

Former president Hamid Karzai, who clashed bitterly with the United States over the issue in past years, condemned the airstrikes but the government of President Ashraf Ghani has so far made no public comment.

Accounts from some local officials and residents indicated that as many as 13 people were killed in airstrikes in Chahardara district outside Kunduz city. Some Afghan media have reported much higher figures, without independent confirmation.

Prosecutor seeks to investigate Afghan war crimes allegations – and claims of US torture

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Afghan special forces and the local provincial governor say 48 militants were killed but deny any civilians were killed.

In its most recent report, the said there had been a 52% increase in civilian casualties from airstrikes in the first nine months of the year to 205 killed and 261 wounded.

The issue has particular resonance in Kunduz because it was there that run by medical aid group Médecins sans Frontières during fighting to regain the city from the Taliban in 2015.